Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I refer to another budgetary issue. Will the Tánaiste tell us if it is proposed to provide sufficient moneys in order that the fair deal scheme can be introduced earlier rather than later? This is promised legislation that has been published. The difficulty for health board areas is that the funding is not available. The families of those entitled to medical cards and who have medical cards are put to the pin of their collars to pay for them in nursing homes. Will the Minister introduce a supplementary budget to ensure this happens?

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